Pendulum high-voltage air-break switch



J. K. OSTRANDER.

PENDULUM HIGH VOLTAGE AIR BREAK SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED DEC.31. 1019.

lAHfiQQ. Patentedy 2, 1922.,

WITNESSES nvmvmn v v Jaw/f Girl/W952 A TTOR/VEYS J. K. OSTRANDER.

PENDULUM HIGH VOLTAGE AIR BREAK SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED DEC.3I| 1919.

Patented May 2, 1922, I 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

MCM SQQD WITNESSES f g I 1 IUHN QSTRANDEE, OF N E321 YURE, N, "1?.

EENDULUFIL' HIGH-VQLTAGE AKRJBHEAIK SWKTGH.

Application filed. Beceraher 3i, 1M3.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN K. OSTRANDER, a citizen of the United States,and resident of the city of New York, New Brighton, borough of Richmond,in the county of Richmond andState of New York, have invented a new andImproved Pendulum High-Voltage Air-Break Switch, of which the followingis a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates generally to a new and improved high potentialelectric switch, and more particularly to a switch of the abovecharacter adapted more particularly for use in air only.

In switches heretofore provided,'it has been ditlicult to obtain asuitable air break switch which will permit an air gap of suitablelength to be formed between the contacts of the switch, and further ithas been difficult to obtain a construction and arrangement of switchparts so that upon breaking, the are formed would not seriously burn thecontacts. In order to overcome the latter, horns and other complicatedconstructions have been used.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a high voltageair-break switch having its parts constructed and arranged to overcomethe diiiiculties above noted, and which will permit a high voltagecircuit carrying a large amount of power to be in terrupted in airquickly and safely by gravity action through a pendulum construction.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved switchconstructed so that the contacts thereof are normally pro tected fromthe weather elements, such .as rain, sleet and snow, the arrangementbeing such that in breaking, any are formed is carried away" from themain contacts.

Specification of Letters TPatent.

Patented May 2., teen.

Serial Ito. 348,514.

veniently mounted, and the terminals may be secured to the arms at arelatively station ary point thereof, thus minimizing the possibility ofan open circuit caused by a severed connection, which oft times iscaused by a moving conductor. A further object of this invention istoprovide a high potential switch construction and a tripping mechanismtherefor, which may be conveniently manually operable from a distantpoint.

A further object of this invention is to provide in a high potentialair-break switch of the pendulum type, a means for dampening a swingingto and fro movement of the parts, A switch constructed in accordancewith this invention, is particularly adapted for use on high potentialpolyphase alternating current circuits, but it is understood that it isnot limited thereto. One of the important features of a switchconstructed in accordance with the invention is the provision of apendulum construction embodying a support, and an arm having one endpivotally connected to the support, a carrier bar suitably connected tothe other end of the arm and extending laterally thereof, and a switcharm connected to the said carrier bar at one end through a suitableinsulator, suitable contacts being located at the other end, the saidswitch arm being arranged to move in a plane otlset'from the plane ofmovement of the pivoted arm, the switch arm-preferably being arranged toextend from the carrier bar in radial, alignment with the pivoted arm sothat a point on the contact arm will be in substantial alignment withthe point of pivotal support, such a point being substantiallystationary, and presenting a desirable pointof connection for the line,cable or conductor.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the followingdescription, the accompanying drawings illustrating for example onepracticable embodiment of the invention, and the appended claims. Theinvention consists in the construction arrange ment and combination ofparts hereinafter more fully described, a practical embodiment of whchis shown in the accompanying drawings forming a part of thespecification, in which similar characters of reference designatecorresponding parts in the several views.

Figure l is top plan view of a three pole the direction of the arrowsand taken generally on the line 33 of Figure 1.

'Figure 4c is an enlarged detail sectional view of part of the trippingmechanism.

Figure 5 is a view of Figure 4 in side elevation.

Figure 6 is a sectional view, showing certain parts broken away, lookingin the direction of the arrows and taken on the line 8-6 of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a sectional view of the contacts and arm looking in thedirection of the arrows and taken on the line 77 of Figure 8.

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation view showing the upperpart of the arms, and the contacts.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary elevation view with certain parts in section,showing in full line, a portion of the tripping mechanism before beingtripped, the dot and dash line position showing the position of the linktoggle arrangement immediately after the toggle has been broken by thetripping bar.

Figure 10 is an enlarged broken elevation view partly in section ofcertain parts of the tripping mechanism, showing in dot and dash linethe position of the parts when the contacts are separated.

With reference more particularly to the accompanying drawings showingone practical embodiment of the invention, a three pole switch, adaptedfor use for example on a three phase system is illustrated. Withreference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the switch comprises two pairs of arms12 and 34 respectively, the former arms 1-2 being pivotally connected atopposite ends thereof in any suitable manner at spaced points 910 on asuitable support 5, the other arms 34: being similarly pivotallyconnected to another support 6. The carrier bars 7-8 are provided, andare preferably rigidly connected in any suitable manner to one end ofthe arms 1-3 and 24 respec arms 11-12 and 13 being preferably inparallel relation with thepivoted arms 12. If desired, the connectors14:, 15 and 16 may be of a type permitting angular adjustment of thearms about the axis of the carrier bar, as may also be the connectors 17and 18 rigidly connecting the end of the arms 1-3 to the carrier bar 7.The arms 11, 12 and 13 may be insulated from the carrier bar 7 bysuitable insulators 19, 20 and 21, which insulators are preferablyarranged at one end of the respective contact arms, between one end ofthe respective contact arms and a point of the contact armscorresponding to the point of pivotal support for the pivoted arms 13.Such an arrangement forms a pendulum suspension construction for thecontact arms, so that when moved, the contact arms rotate about apivotal point between the ends of the arm, but out of physical contacttherewith. The points of the arms corresponding to the points of pivotalsupport for the arms 1 and 3, are practically stationary when thecontact arms rotate, and thus afford-desirable points at which toconnect conductors 22, 23 and 2 1, thus minimizing the possibilities ofthe conductors becoming severed or broken which would otherwise belikely to happen if the conductors were movable. Other contact arms 25,26 and 27 are similarly rigidly connected to the carrier bar 8 byconnectors 28, 29 and 30 through insulators 31, 32 and 33, the said armshaving contacts 341, 35 and 36 at one end thereof adapted to engagecontacts 37, 38 and 39 carried at one end of the arms 11, 12 and 13respectively. llt is thus seen that the respective coacting contact armsrotate in offset parallel planes from the plane of rotation'of thepivoted arms. Such an arrangement and construction enables a switch tobe formed which is particularly desirable for use as a high voltageair-break switch, in that the co-acting contact arms having anindependent pendulum support, may be of any suitable length, and thepoints of the pivotal support may be suitably spaced in order to afforda relatively great-distance between the portion of the coacting contactswhen closed, and of the contacts when the switch is opened, thusproviding a gap of proper length to insure the breaking of any are whichmay form. A further advantage of such a construction is that the contactarm is readily and conveniently insulated. Still a further advantage ofthe pendulum construction is that when the coacting contact of thecontact arms are in engagement, the switch parts assume a position .ofunstable equilibrium, so that the switch may be opened by gravity actionindependent of other force. so that the switch normally tends to remainin an open position, thus v lll nemesis ported on columns or posts41-42, but it under side of the supporting channels 5 6.

Such a construction forms a protection for the point of pivotal supportfrom the weather elements. It is to be understood that while two pair ofpivotally supported arms have been shown herein for a three pole switch,that the invention is not limited thereto, but any suitable number ofpivotal supporting arms may be provided depending upon the character ofthe switch to be used. It is further to be understood that thisinvention is not to be limited to certain details of construction shownherein,.but that the same may be varied to suit individual preferenceand conditions of use.

Referring more particularly to Figures 3 7 and 8, the contact arms areshown as comprising T angle bars 43, the conductivity of the arm beingincreased by the provision of preferably a copper bar conductor 44suitably secured to the T arm, The ends of the respective arms are bentslightly at an angle, a blade contact 37 being fixed to one end of acoacting arm, the contact construction 34 fixed to the end of the othercoacting arm, being such as will normally protect the engaged contactsfrom the weather elements such as ice, sleet and the like, theconstruction further being such as will prevent any are formed uponseparation of the contacts from burning the main contacts. ()neconstruction is shown in Figures '7 and 8, in which the contact blade 37fixed to one of the arms 11, is provided at its end with two conductors4546 having one end thereof fixed to the end of the contact blade 37,the other portion of the conductors being slightly bent to form a springV contact. The coacting contact 34 fixed to the other arm, is formed ofa conductor bent to form a .V of suitable shape to slidably receive thespring conductors 45-46 at the end of the contact blade 37. As a meansof limiting the outward movement of the sides 47-48 of the contact 34,forming the V, spaced bolts 49 and 50 are provided, a link 51 being usedto separate or hold one end of the bolt in spaced relation. As a meansof protecting the engaged contact surfaces from the weather elements, acovering or top 52 extends over the contact 34. The top 52 serves as ameans for holding the upper end of the bolts 49 and 50 in spacedrelation. As a means of preventing the are from burning the maincontacts upon separation, the cover 52 is extended and bent to form asupplementary spring contact 53, which normally contacts with thecontact blade 37 when the switch is closed, and which remains in contactwith the blade 37 after the conductors 45-46 fixed to the blade are outof contact with the sides 4748 of the contact 34, so that an arc'willnot be formed between the sides 47 and 48 of the contact 34 when the condu'ctors 45 and 46 are disengaged therefrom but will be carried over tothe supplementary contact 53, and the are there formed upondisengagement from the contact'blade 37. If desired, the extreme end ofthe su plementary spring contact 53 will be detac able, so that if suchpart becomes badly burned it may be readily replaced.

It is to be noted that one of the important features of a switchconstructed in this manner is that any possible are formed betweenthecontacts is situated at a sale distance from the other switch parts, sothat the danger of the main switch parts becoming burned is greatlyminimized.

in order to hold the contacts in engaged position, and to control themovement of the contact arms from a distance, manually, or by automaticmeans, a suitable holding and tripping mechanism is provided. lln theform shown, a plurality of rods 54 and 55 are provided, one end of thesaid rods being pivotally connected in a suitable manner to the carrierbars 78 respectively, the other ends of said rods being pivotallyconnected to a vertically movable link member 56. lln operation, it maybe desirable that the switch arms move in unison. in order to facilitatesuch a movement, a weighted member 57 may be connected through suitableflexible cables58-=59, guided over pulleys 60 and 61 to the carrier bars7-8 respectively. lln order to prevent an oscillating movement of? thependulum supported arms on opening, suitable friction washers 62-63 maybe provided.

In the use of high potential switches, it is desirable to have the sameso arranged that the switch may be controlled from a distance to eitheropen or close the same. In order to effect this result, a suitabletripping mechanism is shown suspended from the channels 40 by a support64. The tripping mechanism is supported in any suitable casing 65. Theclosing of the switch is eilected by moving the link member 56. For thispurpose, a plunger 66 having notches ($7 is connected to the link 56,and is adapted to be guided at one limit of travel within aperturesformed in the casing 65. The plunger is held in upper locked position,as shown in Figure 4', by links 6869 having slots 70 and 71, one end ofsaid links engaging the notches 7 of the plunger, the other end of saidlinks 68 and 69 being pivotally connected toone end of the yokes 72 and73 respectively,

the other end of said yokes being pivotally connected by links 74,forming a toggle joint connection. The fixed point of support for thelink and yoke construction, is upon the bearing rods 75-76, extendingthrough the slots 70 and 71 respectively. The plunger 66 is providedwith an aperture 77 extending axially therethrough, and through which acable cord or other means 78 extends, one end of the cable beingconnected with a trip cone 79 having a flange 80 thereon, the other endof the cable extending over a suitable guide pulley 78 to a desiredpoint from which it is desired to control the switch. Preferably, thelink member 56 is provided with a cone shape'd aperture to correspondwith the shape of the trip cone 79. In order to break the toggle jointconnection formed by the yokes 72 and 73 connected by the links 74, thetripbars 8182 are slidably supported by suitable brackets Sid-8a in thecasing 65. Stops 85-86 are secured to the trip'rods to limit thedownward movement thereof. The trip rods are arranged below the links74, so that by thrusting the tripping bars upward, the toggle connectionwill be broken, and will move from the full line position indicated -inFigure 9, to the dot and dash line position there indicated. When in thelatter position, the ends of the links 6869 will be disengaged from thenotches 67 of the plunger, and permit the switch to be opened by gravityaction. If it is desired to open the switch by manual operation, thecable 78 may be pulled, which will move the tripping cone 79 upward,until the shoulder 80 engages the bottom ends of the trip bars 81 and82. When these trip bars move upwardly they contact with the links 74:and break the straight line of the toggle joint which, by the impact ofthese links, is moved temporarily to the dotted position shown in Fig.9. For a moment then the ends of the links 68 and 69 are removed fromthe notches 67, whereby the plunger 66 and its attached mechanism dropsby gravity. However, the weight of the yokes 72 and 7 3 and the links 74is such as to tend to restore the toggle mechanism to the dottedposition shown in Fig. 10, in which the ends or" the links 68 and 69ride along the normal surface of the plunger 66. However, when theplunger isiin its lowest position, the toggle members are in the fullline position shown in either Fig. 9 or Fig. 10, since the upper end ofthe plunger 66 is below the ends of the links 68 and 69. Therefore, whenthe plunger is pulled upwardly to close the switch, the wedge or taperedend oi the plunger 66 -forcibly hits'the ends of the links 68 and 69 andfor an instant moves them up to the dotted position shown in Fig. 10,until the notches 67 come in alignment with the ends of the links 68 and69 which, thereupon, immediately drop into place. The dotted positionsshown in 9 and 10 are only temporary. It is understood that when it isdesired to close the switch the cone 79 may be moved up very gently soas not to force the bars 81 and 82 up hard enough or tar enough tocontact with the link 74 but merely raises the member 56 and the plungerstance a bell crank having arms 89 and'90,

the tri mechanism may be released. In the form s iown, one of the armsof the bell crank 89 is pivoted intermediate the ends, one of the endsextending beyond the point of pivotal support and arranged to beactuated the core 91 of the electroresponsive device g-ure 3, the cable78 is pulled until the trip cone 79 engages the link 56. after whichcontinued force is exerted upon the cable until the plunger is moved toits uppermost position, where the lower ends of the links 68 and 69 willengage the note-hes 67 of the plunger. There is shown in dot and dashposition in Figure 10, the position of the links and toggle connectionafter the plunger has been forced between the ends of the links 68-69but before the ends of the links have been seated in the notches 67. Thefull line position shows the position of the links and toggle connectionafter the ends of the links have been seated in the notches. It is to benoted that the slots 70 and 71 in the. links 68 and 69 permit the propermovement of the links on the rods 7576.

It is to be noted that in a gravity actuated pendulum switch of thisconstruction, a construction is afi orded by which a high potentialheavy duty switch may readily be constructed, giving a wide air-breakand forming a rugged and simple construction having its parts protectedfrom the weather elements, and this is obtained without the use of manyparts of complicated construction.

While but one practical embodiment of the invention has herein beenshown, it is to be understood that various changes and modiwhenenergized. The electroresponsive fications have been made Wltl'iC"" fromthe spirit and scope of t my n c'to s vei ntion, what are by Letion.Having thus described claim as new and desir ters Patent, is:

1'. A high potential air-break switch including a support, a supportiarm pivotally connected to said support, a switch member carrier barconnected. to said arm and extending transversely thereof at a pointspaced "from the point of pivotal support, a contact arm connected tosaid carrier bar at a ooint oilset from said arm.

2. A high potential switch including a support, a supporting pivotal?connected to said support, switch member carrier bar extending laterallyof the arm and connected thereto, the said bar being adapted to moveabout the point of piv l support, a contact arm connected to the carrierin, a plane offset from the said first named ain a contact at one end ofsale. contact arm, and an insulator between contact and the point ofconnection with the carrier 3. A high potential switchincludingasupport, a supporting arm pivotally connected at one endthereof to said support, a contact arm offset from said pivoted arm, andconnections between the free end oi the pivoted arm and one end of saidcontact arm whereby said contact arm is aligned with respect to saidpivoted arm but offset therefrom.

4.. A high potential air-break switch com prising a. contact arm adaptedto rotate around an axis, a pivotally supported arm adapted to rotatearound the axis in a plane offset from the plane of rotation of saidcontact area, said contact arm being unconnected. with said axis.

5. A high potential air-break switch including a plurality armspivotally supported at spaced points, a plurality of contact arms oilsetfrom said pivoted arms and having contacts adapted to engage each otherwhen the switch is closed, and means rigidly connecting the free ends ofthe pivoted arms with one end of the respective contact arms, the saidmeans being arranged to bring the pivoted arm and the contact arm inradial alignment, and to permit the said contact, arms and pivoted armto revolve in different planes.

6. A high potential switch comprising a pivoted arm, a contact armspaced from and parallel with said pivoted arm, and means connectingsaid contact arm and said pivoted arm, the said means being connectedwith the pivoted arm at a. point spaced from the point of pivotalconnection.

7. A switch comprising a support, an arm pivotally connected at one endwith said support, a contact arm spaced from and extend mg parallel tosaid pivoted arm, a contact at one end of said contact arm, an insulatorat the other end of said arm, and means rigidly connecting the insulatedend of said contact arm, with theother end of said pivoted arm, wherebythe respective arms rotate in different spaced substantially parallelplanes.

8. A high potential switch comprising a plurality of independent pivotedarms, the points of pivotal support for said arms being spaced from eachother, a plurality of carrier bars rigidly connected to the free endsand extending laterally of said arms respectively, a plurality oftinsulated contact arms rigidly connected to the respective carrier barsand arranged to permit rotation in a plane oiiset from the plare ofrotation of said pivoted arms, and co-operating cont acts carried bysaid contact arms.

9. A high potential switch comprising a plurality of independent pivoteda arms, points of pivotal support for said arms b mg spaced from eachother, plurality carrier bars rigidly connected to the free ends andextending laterally of said respectively, a plurality of insulatedcontact arms rigidly connected to the respective carrier bars andarranged to permit rotation in a plane oii'sct from the plane ofrotation of said pivoted arms, co-opcrating contacts carried by saidcont-act arms, and pivotal means connected with said carrier bars forholding the said contacts in engagement, and retain.- ing the saidpivoted arms and contact arms in a position of unstable equilibrium.

10, A high potential switch comprising a plurality of independentpivoted arms, the points or pivotal support for said arms being spacedfrom each other, a plurality of carrier bars rigidly connected to thetree ends and extending laterally of said arms respectively, a pluralityof insulated con-' tact arms rigidly connected to the respec= tivecarrier bars and arranged to permit rotation in a plane ollset from theplane of rotation of said pivoted arms, co-operat ing contacts carriedby said contact arms, pivotal means connected with said carrier bars forholding the said contacts in engagement, and retaining the said pivotedarms and contact arms in a position of unstable equilibrium, and atripping mechanism associated with the pivotal means.

11. A high voltage pendulum switch comprising a support, a plurality ofarms pivotally suspended from said support at spaced points to permitrotation in parallel planes, laterally extending carrier bars connectedto the free ends of said pivoted arms, insulated contact arms rigidlyconnected to said carrier bars in a plane offset from said pivoted arms,the said contact arms bein substantially parallel with said pivote arms,co-operating contacts carried by the respective contact arms, and atripping mechanism associated with the pivotal suspended switch arms forholding the contacts lltl in engagement when the switch arms and pivotedarms occupy a position of unstable equilibrium.

12. A high voltage pendulum switch comprising'a support, a plurality ofarms pivotally suspended from said support at spaced points to permitrotation in parallel planes, laterally extending carrier bars connectedto the free ends of said pivoted arms, insulated contact arms rigidlyconnected to said carrier bars in a plane offset from said pivoted arms,the said contact arms being substantially parallel with said pivotedarms, co-operating contacts carried by the respective contact arms, atripping mechanism associated with the pivotal suspended switch arms forholding the contacts in engagement when the switch arms and pivoted armsoccupy a position of unstable equilibrium, the said tripping mechanismincluding in combination a plurality of members, one end of each memberhaving a pivotal connection with the respective carrier bars, anothermember pivotally connecting the other end of said members, and atripping device engaging said last named member to maintain the contactsin engaged position.

13. A high voltage switch comprising a plurality of arms pivotallysupported at spaced points to permit of rotation in parallcl planes,laterally extending carrier bars rigidly connected with the free ends ofthe respective pivoted arms, contact arms extending substantiallyparallel with said pivoted arms in a plane ollset therefrom, the saidcontact arms being insulated from. and rigidly connected with the saidcarrier bars, co -operating contacts carried by said contact arms, thearrangement being such that when the contacts are in engagement thecontact arms occupy a position of unstable equilibrium, a plurality ofmembers having one end thereof pivotally connected to the said carrierbars, the other end of said members having a pivotal connection with avertically movable member, and a tripping device associated with saidvertically movable member for maintaining the switch parts in a positionof unstable equilibrium.

14-. A high voltage switch comprising a plurality of arms pivotallysupported at spaced points to permit of rotation in parallel planes,laterally extending carrier bars rigidly connected with the respectivepivoted arms, contact arms extending substantially parallel with saidpivoted arms in a plane oi'rfset ti ereirom, the said contact arms beinginsulated from and rigidly connected with the said carrier bars,co-operating contacts carried by said contact arms, the arrangementbeing such that when the con tacts are in engagement the contact arms occupy a position of unstable equilibrium, a plurality of members havingone end there of pivotally connected to the said carrier misses bars,the other end of said members having a pivotal connection with avertically movable member, a tripping device associated with saidvertically movable member tor maintaining the switch parts in a positionof unstable equilibrium,'the said tripping device comprisinga toggleconnection having means arranged to engage the vertically moving memberto hold the same in a suspended position, and means for automaticallybreaking said toggle connection to permit the downward movement of thevertically movable member to enable contacts to separate.

15. A high potential switch comprising switch arms having co-operatingcontacts associated therewith, laterally extending carrier barsinsulated from and rigidly connected to one end of the respective switcharms, pivotally supported arms rigidly connected to said carrier barsand extending substantially parallel with said switch arms in a planeoffset therefrom whereby the said pivoted arms and switch arms rotate inspaced parallel planes, switch arms being angularly arranged andoccupying a position of unstable equilibrium when the contacts are inengagement, pivotal connected members interposed between the saidcarrier bars for maintaining the contacts in engaged position, anelectro responsive tripping device associated with said pivoted members,a gravity means having independent flexible connectors connected withthe carrier bars to effect uniform movement of the switch arms uponseparation of the contacts.

16. A high potential switch comprising a plurality of carrier bars,pivotally supported arms rigidly connected at their free ends with saidcarrier bars, the said pivoted arms being normal thereto, contact armsrigidly connected to said carrier bars in an offset parallel plane, thesaid contact arms being substantially parallel with said pivoted arms,contacts for said contact arms, insulators for said contact armsinterposed between the carrier bar and a point of the contact armcorresponding to the point of pivotal support for the pivoted arm, andconductors connected to said contact arms at a point corresponding tothe point of pivotal support for the pivoted arm, whereby the saidcontact arms may rotate without effecting substantial movement of theconductor.

17. The combination of switch arms, cooperating contacts therefor, oneof said contacts having a bent portion having an upper covering servingto protect the main contacts from sleet and the like, the said portionbeing to form an extension whereby upon breakin the arc is carried awayfrom the main contacts, carrier bars rigidly connected to the switcharms at one end and extending normal thereto, pivotally supported armsparallel with the switch arms and connected ei lace to the respectivecarrier bars in a plane aset from the switch arms, means pivotallyconnecting the carrier bars for effecting pendulum movement of theswitch arms, and insulators for the switch arms interposed between thecarrier bars and a point of pivotal support, and a conductor connectedto the switch arm at a point corresponding to the point of pivotalsupport, whereby the switch arm may move without producing relativemovement of the conductor.

18. In a high potential air-brake switch comprising co-acting contactarms and independent pivotally supported switch arms rigidly connectingthe respective contact arms forming a pendulum suspension, a pivotedmeans connecting one end of said switch arms for determining theposition of said contact arms, and a tripping mechanism associated withsaid pivoted means for holding the contact arms in engaged position, thesaid tripping mechanism comprising a plunger connected with the pivotedmeans, a toggle connection having means engaging the plunger, and meansfor breaking the toggle to release the plunger whereby the contact armsare separated by gravity.

19. A tripping mechanism for a pendulum switch comprising a verticallymovable plunger having notches there-in, a toggle connection comprisinga plurality of yokes, links pivotally connecting the yokes, other linkspivotally connected to the yoke at one end, the other end of said linksengaging the- .notches of the plunger, independently fixed pivotalsupports for said last named links, means arranged on the links topermit relative longitudinal movement between the support and the links,and means for breaking the toggle connection to disengage the ends ofthe links from the notches of the plunger.

20. A high potential switch comprising a plurality of coacting switcharms adapted to rotate in the same plane, a plurality of pivoted arms inanother plane extending substantially parallel with said switch arms,carrier bars rigidly connecting said pivoted arms and said switch arms,the said switch arms being at an angle when the switch is closed, aweight, a flexible means extending from said weight and connecting saidcarrier bars, to effect uniform movement of said carrier bars, andfriction means restraining the said carrier bars against a swingingmovement.

JOHN K. OSTRANDER.

